When schools grow too big for their existing facilities, they often have to resort to inefficient modular classrooms, which take a lot of energy to be run and make it seem like your kids are going to school in a trailer park. <a href="http://gen7schools.com/" target="_blank">Gen7 Modular Classrooms </a>by <a href="http://www.americanmodular.com/" target="_blank">American Modular Systems</a> is working to change that with their energy-efficient, affordable, and environmentally-friendly classrooms that provide <a href="https://inhabitat.com/2010/06/28/stunning-zero-plus-energy-lab-at-hawaii-preparatory-academy/" target="_blank">healthy and productive learning environments</a>. Over the summer, Gen7 installed a set of six modular classrooms at the Bolsa Knolls Middle School in Salinas, California - hit the jump to take a look!

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

Bolsa Knolls School needed extra classroom space and decided they wanted to create a healthy and productive environment for their students and teachers.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

All six classrooms are designed to meet and
exceed the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria for learning environments that are healthy, comfortable, energy-efficient, and easy to maintain. These will be the nation's first modular classrooms to receive CHPS verification for new buildings on an existing campus.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

The classrooms are designed to be energy efficient through the use of super-tight insulation, a cool roof, natural light and an energy efficient mechanical system.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

These classrooms are 30% more energy efficient than California Energy Code.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

The classrooms also feature an ultra-quiet thermal displacement ventilation system that monitors carbon dioxide levels.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

The classrooms began construction on June 1st of 2010 and were delivered to the school on July 15th.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

The classrooms were installed by July 20th and ready for the students before school started on August 11th.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

In less than 2 months the new classrooms were delivered and built, which is an important feature for schools that need new rooms quickly.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

The classrooms have awnings that are set up for solar systems - Bolsa Knolls will install the systems when they have the funding for them.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

This is a demonstration classroom by Gen7 to show off their eco-friendly classrooms.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

New teachers in the Gen7 classrooms are provided with a “green toolkit” which outlines the features and benefits of their new green learning environment and includes reading and comprehension activities, green curriculum resources and an exciting educational DVD.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

The classroom exteriors can be designed and finished to match the existing school's facade and look.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

When the modules arrive on the campus, they are already 90% complete and it only takes a few more days to make them ready for teachers and students.

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Gen7 Modular Classroom

When schools grow too big for their existing facilities, they often have to resort to inefficient modular classrooms, which take a lot of energy to be run and make it seem like your kids are going to school in a trailer park. Gen7 Modular Classrooms by American Modular Systems is working to change that with their energy-efficient, affordable, and environmentally-friendly classrooms that provide healthy and productive learning environments. Over the summer, Gen7 installed a set of six modular classrooms at the Bolsa Knolls Middle School in Salinas, California - hit the jump to take a look!